The effects of backward walking training on balance and mobility in an individual with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury: A case report.

This is one participant, so the results cannot be generalised to other people with incomplete spinal cord injury. Backward walking was not compared with another gait rehabilitation strategy, so its relative effect is unknown. The same physical therapist delivered the training and conducted the assessments, which may have influenced the results. Only upright mobility tests were repeated before training to establish a stable baseline. Strength did not change on the Lower Extremity Motor Score, and some muscles active during backward walking were not tested. The participant had received regular physical and occupational therapy for 11 years and had limited response to previous locomotor training, so it is hard to know what caused the gains.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest and no source of funding.

Do not conclude that backward walking training improves balance or walking in people with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury. This is one case report with no comparison group, and the treating physical therapist also assessed the outcomes.